How Slutty Vegan's CEO Raised $25 Million To Expand Her Food Empire | Forbes

Aisha “Pinky” Cole is a busy woman. The founder and CEO of vegan burger chain Slutty Vegan now has products ranging from kettle chips to CBD gummies, not to mention a shoe deal, a foundation, and an upcoming cookbook (Eat Plants Bitch). In addition, Cole says a major grocery chain has ordered 60,000 units of Slutty Vegan dip, which comes in flavors like Bangin’ Hot-Lanta Chik’n and has already been on shelves at Target. And Cole is expanding beyond the Atlanta-based chain’s five stores into markets like Brooklyn and Baltimore. She says her goal is “to build a billion-dollar brand.”
Born to Jamaican Rastafarian immigrants in Baltimore in 1987, for the first 20 years of her life, Cole’s father was serving a life sentence in prison and he was later deported to Jamaica. Cole spent her childhood with her mother, a musician in the reggae group Strykers' Posse. A vegan for eight years, Cole is engaged to Derrick Hayes, a fellow entrepreneur who owns Big Dave's Cheesesteaks. They have a baby daughter together, with another on the way.
While Cole’s vegan cooking has struck a chord with consumers looking to reduce or eliminate meat from their diets, she’s not alone in tapping a new market. While the percentage of vegans in the population is hard to track, various research polls put the numbers at up to 6% and growing fast. There are more than 24,000 vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the U.S., including 1,474 vegan eateries, according to the latest count by Happy Cow, which helps vegan consumers find places to eat.
In 2014, she opened Pinky's Jamaican and American restaurant in Harlem. But, following a grease fire, she lost everything in the restaurant. In need of a job, Cole took a job in Los Angeles to work as a casting director for the Oprah Winfrey Network's talk series Iyanla: Fix My Life. She then traveled to Atlanta to continue working on the show.
When the idea for Slutty Vegan came to her in July 2018, she started the early beginnings of Slutty Vegan using a shared kitchen space while taking orders through direct messages on Instagram. "The next thing I know, there's about 300 people standing outside, trying to pick up their orders,” says Cole, who went on to open a food truck and then fixed locations.
"When you walk into the doors of Slutty Vegan,” says Cole, “it's like coming into a sanctuary of fun. We're yelling at you. We're dancing. We got Hip Hop music busting through the speakers. You got people calling you a slut. You get your food. You got alcohol. It’s a party atmosphere."
Cole says Slutty Vegan’s energetic brand resembles that of her own personality.
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[@JessBooth]

5:52 I’m in tears because that is me right now. So many ideas but no resources, for now. This video moved me the most out of all the videos I’ve watched for the past 2 hours, about people starting from the bottom and making millions and billions. Thank you for sharing your story with us. May your business continue to prosper.✨🙏🏽

[@runstreet]

Amazing story, she is so inspiring! Love her hustle and her marketing genius with her brand.

[@nthomas1505]

Inspiring 🤲🏽 .. I love her hustle .. her drive .. morals and standards of her vision and concept 👏🏽 .. Congrats on Your Success!!

[@ThomasinaAdams27]

I AM A LIVING TESTIMONEY THAT THIS FOOD IS SO DANG GOOOOOD I ALMOST SLAPPED MYSELF, that sauce is AMAZING all these different flavors that come together, and the texture of the vegan plant base meat , I thought I was eating a Philly cheese steak for a minute, actually tasted better. I was so inspired and to come here to hear her story, i am super inspired now. If you haven't tried this food, run to the nearest one, you will be hooked.

[@Gorrilla_diesel]

You and Robert F. Smith are my biggest inspirations as a young black entrepreneur

[@alphasuperior100]

Wish I had the Hustle mind to make money at such a young age she's gifted that's why.

[@EPElife]

What a beautiful story. I love her honesty about life.

[@booboograyson1664]

THEY ASKED HER WHEN DID SHE THINK SHE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT!? SHE HAS ALREADY MADE IT!!!!! 🎉❤🎉

[@TalkingEV]

Love this story! What an amazing woman. ✌️

[@map650]

Declaration: I will create things that people need!

[@rona_8384]

I love this kind of mindset …

[@kogbechie123]

And oddly enough her business is great for the vegan movement because it shows that vegan food isn't just carrots and grass, vegans don't miss out on any non vegan food, better for the environment and better for human health. It's a win win win

[@lalaego3517]

I mean it’s nit better for your health it’s almost as bad as normal meat because is still is full of saturated fats to replicate meat but it is great for the environment

[@Beastly_Genius]

Better for the environment? Nope. Better for human health? Nope. Vegans do miss out on plenty of non vegan foods but her business just showed y’all hav more options & it doesn’t hav to be very expensive

[@prodviggy]

@@lalaego3517 youre being silly

[@May-pt6wb]

Im so Proud of you and your succees Pinky. Your success is all of our success aa a person of color and a woman. Cant wait to visit the restaurant soon.

[@mateodiego410]

I admire u and ur greatest woman, I wish u will be always successful

[@winifredmorris8507]

*Insightful post. Anyone who doesn't invest is really missing out. For me, investing is the best decision anyone can make to improve their finances. I have been in this experience since 2014 which has helped me improve my finances*

[@cruzporter9688]

Investing is so much underrated and It’s really pitiful how some people rely solely on salaries and working 24/7 when there are various ways of making money online without stress. The wise don’t invest after spending but spend after investing. I’m glad I started practicing this early as it has helped me life a debt free life and as well improve my finances.

[@winifredmorris8507]

There are a variety of investments to indulge in, but without solid knowledge or skills, I would advise you to work with an investment advisor who can help you understand and also recommend a suitable investment that you can engage in to get good returns without losing your money. Personally, I work with *Donald Nathan Scott* and my experience with him so far has been the best.

[@winifredmorris8507]

As to get more details on suitable investment plans you could indulge in. You can easily find *Donald Nathan Scott* on the internet where you can easily reach out to him and as well send him a text.

[@miacordelia6367]

I’m convinced that making money online is much easier than working for others . I’ve been working with a *financial planner* operating a private firm and so far, I’ve achieved *$800k* portfolio. It’s not just watching investment videos when you can’t implement the knowledge in reality, I tried that but I failed drastically.

[@rudriguezbauer7520]

I’m happy hearing someone talk good about Donald Nathan Scott. Donald Nathan Scott offers a very good service and he has been influential in my financial journey. I'm surprised his name mentioned here and I’m happy as to read positive recommendations here. I met Donald in Florida two years ago and I have been working with him ever since and sincerely , choosing to work with him is one of my best decision in life.

[@williamstowaway1115]

I'm so inspired with her wisdom and she's sounds so humble aswell. 👍

[@leatricetodmann3299]

Well you on your way to really get to billion dollar brand status,getting people jobs in the goal.Congradulations to you Pinky Cole

[@mewa5798]

Much respect

[@oceanwest4537]

amazing story , very inspiring

[@PJay6799]

Very Inspiring story...Lovely

[@ahutton49]

Finally made it to Slutty Vegan ATL and had a ball with the staff and my family. Thanks for raising vegan food to an art form.

[@angelal.2922]

What an awesome and skilled woman!

[@brysonbyrne]

Great story! Hope to see it reach a B ❤

[@denicebellinger209]

Oooh such a wonderful story!! Do u have a location in Bmore?! I want one!!

[@tinabop84]

Motivation at its finest 🎉

[@suzanneskiles6196]

Slutty Vegan Birmingham is AMAZING!!!

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

If you turn on the captions it won't say the full name. Your delicate ears can't handle the name of her company. 😆

[@alonzojohnson7563]

Congratulations 👍

[@brandonmason9859]

Wow what a great name doesn’t bring any shame or anything

[@funmiekay]

What a catchy name! Keep soaring! ✨💎

[@maeshaw1]

That's what I'm talking about!!

[@tm_morak3884]

Love her success story💞 but hate the name tho

[@thekrumpdancestudiosabuja7940]

This is such a great story

[@02nupe]

I like the name and also love her success story. #different

[@TriviaDay-qp7em]

Good job

[@brbhave2p00p4]

I like the name

[@andreaanonymous5474]

PINKY, With those profits it would be very good to lower the prices of your food to help out the cause that made you wealthy and the cause that you represent when selling your food. The cheaper and more accessible this kind of food is for non vegans the more likely they are to buy it. RETHINK THE GREED paradigm that we have all been sold since birth, which is routinely called capitalism. There is nothing wrong with making a profit, but how big of a profit do you need to make at the expense of your customers and the animals. Just food for thought. No judgements here. It's what we've all been taught since birth.. It's just time for a change. Every single one of us has a responsibility to our fellow man, the animals and the planet.

[@nickyyyyy]

"I grew up in a household with a mother who was a vegetarian SO i grew just eating fish". Mmmmmmh ok...

[@shakeemdiggz2354]

Hope she doesn't sell

[@artworkshop586]

🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲✅#legendary

[@TChallaChisholm]

Amazing

[@TurboPersonalTraining]

inspiring

[@GoodlyRogue]

I love the name 😂

[@cryptoclique8234]

If you’re opportune to find a trader like Mr john darry who’s trading records are well known to be strictly a winning streak for clients around the world, then I consider you lucky like myself couldn’t be more luckier with the increase in fake traders investors who aren’t careful enough might face a loss

[@cryptoclique8234]

On telegram

[@cryptoclique8234]

johndarry

[@Andre-qg2ie]

I don't think I can eat at a place with that name. I don't associate that word with good hygiene.

[@-tarificpromo-7196]

The irony behind using a syringe to protect yourself yet being synonymous with the discards of society.

[@spadesmaster2153]

Her $100 million dollar brand.. proves many do!

[@MrBigGreenBuds]

​@@spadesmaster2153 thats not even whats its worth, shes never seen 100million go through her accounts ever, thats just what investors agreed to pay for a small percent....then you do some math and on paper it should be a value of 100million but shes probably only ever done a few millions in sales maybe even 10s of millions

[@spadesmaster2153]

@@MrBigGreenBuds We can agree to disagree, but If investors agreed to pay 100 million, then it's worth - now has an evaluation of 100 million.

[@BlessedBeyondAShadowOfDoubt]

@@MrBigGreenBuds ..You hating while u probably still living with your parents or in your 1 bedroom apartment..From the looks of it u play video games all day but hating on a millionaire..😂😂🤡🤡

[@shayjtarot]

Pretty 😎

[@byronholman9228]

🙌🏾💯🙌🏾

[@Monkey-Pan]

By over pricing her food that’s how lol

[@aswinghimire4835]

Top restaurant

[@chikanojuarez816]

💯👏🙏

[@jonathanjohnson5216]

💡🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@hdub321]

Every single time I'm in Atlanta, I make a beeline to Slutty Vegan! I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about SV, the people, the vibe, and of course all things vegan! If you haven't tried it, you are missing out on some amazing food and making some new friends in the process! I always meet the nicest people in line and at the counter! 🤟🌱

[@bbgunvideo]

what? vegetarian's do not eat fish

[@DaveyBooBoo]

Atl h0

[@emilyswanagon2521]

😻😻😻😻

[@hamdiben8163]

Raised what? You mean investors who got a percentage in her business? Always look at the people in the background and behind the cameras....

[@menelik83]

She raised 25 million at a 100 million dollar valuation, where she owns the majority stake, she’s good bro 👌🏾

[@hamdiben8163]

@@menelik83 mmm okay i guess...

[@gidd]

Why are you surprised? That's how Venture Capital works. Most if not every huge tech brand has raised VC Microsoft, Facebook ,ZOOM etc. It's how you grow

[@daniella8400]

Umm well duh, that’s what raising money means!

[@AntonSlizzardhands]

I'm sure the food is good, but the biz name is not family friendly. Salty Vegan may be a good alternative.

[@annax1027]

Lmao what? Worst comment

[@Beastly_Genius]

The name would only not be considered family friendly if it has a cuss or racist word involved. Slutty isn’t a bad word unless it’s used as a verb

[@rodochrous]

I'd never take my family to a restaurant with that name.

[@panafricangriot]

That's the brilliance behind it. You're not a part of her target demographic. She wants a portion of the fast growing young, hip, socially conscious and progressive adults. The name weeds out people like you, and keeps her staff safe, happy and un-harassed by the boomer crowd

[@godatetsu]

nig though she was ronald mcdonald🤡

[@kaylad4486]

What Black woman hurt you? Tell the people since you're obviously threatened by us.

[@godatetsu]

sued